Bulgaria suspended preparations for the construction of its part of the South Stream on orders from the EU authorities

BELGRADE, July 03. /ITAR-TASS/. Sofia is waiting for the European Commission comments on the conditions to build and operate Russia-led South Stream pipeline to restart preparations for its laying, and hopes that the work may be restarted within several weeks, Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin said during his visit to Belgrade on Thursday.

“We are in a direct and constant dialogue with the European Commission about the conditions of the project, and I hope that we will get necessary explanations in the coming weeks and will be able to continue the work,” Vigenin said.

In early June, Bulgaria suspended preparations for the construction of its part of the South Stream on orders from the EU authorities said that the pipeline laying must be suspended until the project is fully adjusted to the union's legislation, including the third energy package, which prohibits the same company, Russia’s Gazprom in this case, to be engaged in production, transportation, and sales of fuel.

The South Stream pipeline will carry Russian gas to the EU bypassing Ukraine. Gas will be pumped to the Bulgaria’s Black Sea port of Varna before extending overland through Serbia, Hungary, and Slovenia to supply gas to the Western Europe via Italy and Austria. The pipeline’s capacity amounts to 63 billion cubic meters.